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Pichu(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is an Electric-type Baby Pokémon that made its first appearance in the second generation games Gold and Silver. Pichu has an alternate form called Spiky-eared Pichu that appeared in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Pichu appears as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Pichu is a small, ground-dwelling rodent Pokémon with pale yellow fur. Its ear-tips, collar, and tail are black and angular. Pichu's pink cheek pouches can store small amounts of electricity, and its tiny nose looks like a dot. Pichu is classified as a quadruped, but it can walk easily on its hind legs.

Pichu is a social Pokémon known for its playful and mischievous demeanor. It is usually found in groups and often touch tails with other Pichu as a show of courage, creating a shower of sparks that can make them cry. It is inept at storing electricity and may discharge if amused, startled, or subjected to shock. However, it cannot discharge without being shocked itself. Charging up is more easily done on days of dryness or with thunderclouds. The crackling of static electricity generated by Pichu is audible. It can zap an adult human but will surprise itself if it does. Pichu primarily lives in the forest, though it has also been depicted to thrive in urban areas.

Spiky-eared Pichu[]

Pichu has an alternate form called Spiky-eared Pichu(JP) that appeared in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, as well as the anime, the manga and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This form is female-only and has three spikes on the tip of its ear, but otherwise looks the same as any other Pichu.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

In video games, Pichu, it is only obtainable via breeding. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pichu gained a variant called Spiky eared-Pichu. This Pokémon, this feature in Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, can be obtained by transfetrring he Pikachu-colored Pichu, distributed through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection 5 to 25 March 2010 for the video games Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, in the remake second generation and going near the shrine of Ilex Forest.

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pichu it is one of the Pokémon available in the Trophy Garden.

Other Pokémon games[]

In Pokémon Stadium 2, Pichu stars in the mini-game Pichu's Power Plant. Similar to Pikachu's and Voltorb's mini-game, Thundering Dynamo, in Pokémon Stadium. The player has to be the first to charge up the most electrical power in order to win.

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Pichu will assist Pikachu on Ball-Saver duty for 50 coins or as a prize in the slot machine.

In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, is the companion of the protagonist Ukulele Pichu, A special Pichu playing the ukulele.

In the Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia is present within the Academy of Ranger (Ranger School), the Vien Forest (Vien Forest), Vien (Vientown), in Portena (Pueltown) and near the beach Zefira (Nabiki Beach).

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros

Pichu in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In the game Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pichu was an unlockable character. It was one of the many different "clones" of preexisting characters, with this particular character's moves being based on Pikachu's. A major downside of the character was the fact that a multitude of his attacks, including his special and smash attacks, not only would deliver damage to the opponent to also Pichu itself. According to the Melee Tier list, Pichu is one of the worst characters in the game. Although it is no longer considered a contender for the worst character competitively, it appears that Pichu was intended to be a sub-par character in general since its trophy descriptions mention that it is "top of the class in weakness" and it is "best suited for handicapped matches." Indeed, this was confirmed in a development news update, shortly after the game's release.

Pichu was removed from Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, though it was featured as one of the game's trophies. However, its ability to wall jump and the blue goggles from its blue alternate costume were given to Pikachu.

Pichu only appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, while Super Smash Bros. for Wii U references it via Palutena's Guidance regarding Pikachu. Once again, Pikachu still has Pichu's blue goggles and Pichu's wall jump.

However, Pichu was given a second chance in the recently released entry, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, since every fighter from the previous entries is coming back to the fifth entry of the series. Pichu had the same outcome to where using its attacks would damage not only the opponent but to Pichu itself. Its spiky-eared form variant appears as an alternate costume. Oddly enough, unlike Pikachu Libre, Spiky-eared Pichu does not have an obtainable Fighter Spirit.

Trophy descriptions[]

Super Smash Bros. Melee [red]

"A Tiny Mouse Pokémon identifiable by its big ears, Pichu evolves into Pikachu. It's not very skilled at storing up electrical energy and will sometimes discharge it if jarred. Although it's small, it has enough electrical power to give even an adult quite a shock. It's often startled by its own power."

Super Smash Bros. Melee [Alt]

"Pichu is the lightest character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and it's top of the class in weakness, too! For Pichu, it's all about scampering here and there to pick up items that will help it survive. The first warp in Agility causes 1 point of damage to Pichu, and the second causes 3, so try to limit the number of times you use the move."

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

"A Tiny Mouse Pokémon. Because its electric cheek pouches are still small, it cannot store electricity yet. Pichu has been known to flaunt its courage by touching tails with others and setting off sparks. It is easier for Pichu to build up electricity when the humidity is lower. Pichu will evolve into Pikachu."

In the anime[]

Ash Pikachu as a Pichu

Ash Ketchum's Pikachu as a Pichu

The Pichu Brothers are a pair of Pichu who have appeared several times in the anime, including in Pikachu & Pichu, Camp Pikachu, several episodes of Pokémon Chronicles, and Pichu Bros. in Party Panic. The design of one of the brothers is similar to that of Ash's Pikachu and Sparky (Ritchie's Pikachu), in that it has a scruff of fur on its ear. Pichu Little, one of the brothers, shared the same voice actor as the Pichu that appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Ukulele Pichu appeared in the Guardian Signs anime special. It was captured by Ben in the concluding part.

A Spiky-Eared Pichu appeared in Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life. She helped Pikachu and Piplup find the keys for the jail cell that held Ash Ketchum, Dawn, Brock, and Damos. The Spiky-eared Pichu made a few further appearances during Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. The Spiky-Eared Pichu form would later appear in the games with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The song Get Fired Up, Spiky-eared Pichu! is dedicated to this Pokémon.

Ash's Pikachu was revealed to have been born as and evolved from a Pichu in Enter Pikachu!.

Other media[]

Pichu appeared in the Project Voltage song Journey's Prequels, Journey's Traces.

Origin and inspiration[]

Pichu seems to draw inspiration from squirrels and various other rodents. Additionally, according to Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori came up with the idea for Pichu when Game Freak staff were trying to figure out a Pokémon to be the "next" Pikachu.

Pichu may be a combination of ピカピカ pikapika (onomatopoeia for sparkling), チューチュー chūchū (onomatopoeia for the squeak of a mouse), and possibly プチ puchi (petite), as well as being a contraction of Pikachu.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold It is not yet skilled at storing electricity. It may send out a jolt if amused or startled.
Pokémon Silver Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.
Pokémon Crystal It is unskilled at storing electric power. Any kind of shock causes it to discharge energy spontaneously.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby Pichu charges itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. You can hear the crackling of static electricity coming off this Pokémon.
Pokémon Sapphire When Pichu plays with others, it may short out electricity with another Pichu, creating a shower of sparks. In that event, this Pokémon will begin crying, startled by the flash of sparks.
Pokémon Emerald It is still inept at retaining electricity. When it is startled, it discharges power accidentally. It gets better at holding power as it grows older.
Pokémon FireRed Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.
Pokémon LeafGreen It is not yet skilled at storing electricity. It may send out a jolt if amused or startled.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond The electric pouches on its cheeks are still small. They cannot store much electricity yet.
Pokémon Pearl It plays with others by touching tails and setting off sparks. This appears to be a test of courage.
Pokémon Platinum The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Pokémon HeartGold It is not yet skilled at storing electricity. It may send out a jolt if amused or startled.
Pokémon SoulSilver Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Pokémon White The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Pokémon Black 2 The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Pokémon White 2 The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X It plays with others by touching tails and setting off sparks. This appears to be a test of courage.
Pokémon Y It is not yet skilled at storing electricity. It may send out a jolt if amused or startled.
Pokémon Omega Ruby Pichu charges itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. You can hear the crackling of static electricity coming off this Pokémon.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire When Pichu plays with others, it may short out electricity with another Pichu, creating a shower of sparks. In that event, this Pokémon will begin crying, startled by the flash of sparks.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun It is not yet skilled at controlling electricity. If you take your eyes off it, it may shock itself.
Pokémon Moon Despite this Pokémon's cute appearance, those who want to live with one should prepare to be on the receiving end of its electric jolts.
Pokémon Ultra Sun It still can't use electricity well. When it's surprised or excited, it discharges electricity unintentionally.
Pokémon Ultra Moon It has electric sacs in its cheeks. When they're fully charged, Pichu plays very energetically.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.
Pokémon Shield The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond The electric sacs on its cheeks are still small. They cannot store much electricity yet.
Pokémon Shining Pearl It plays with others by touching tails and setting off sparks. This appears to be a test of courage.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Pichu stores electricity in the sacs on its cheeks but discharges it inadvertently when agitated or excited. Being yet immature, the Pokémon's handling of electricity is rather inept.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet It is unskilled at storing electric power. Any kind of shock causes it to discharge energy spontaneously.
Pokémon Violet Despite this Pokémon's cute appearance, those who want to live with one should prepare to be on the receiving end of its electric jolts.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Silver
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Crystal
Breed Pikachu or Raichu, Hatch the Odd Egg
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Sapphire
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Emerald
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon FireRed
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon LeafGreen
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Trophy Garden
Pokémon Pearl
Trophy Garden
Pokémon Platinum
Trophy Garden
Pokémon HeartGold
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon SoulSilver
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Y
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Breed Pikachu or Raichu
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Route 1, Hau'oli City
Pokémon Moon
Route 1, Hau'oli City
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Route 1
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Route 1
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword
Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Motostoke Riverbank (Max Raid Battle)
Pokémon Shield
Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Motostoke Riverbank (Max Raid Battle)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Trophy Garden
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Trophy Garden
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Floaro Gardens, Nature's Pantry, Golden Lowlands
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet
South Province (Area One), South Province (Area Two), Los Platos
Pokémon Violet
South Province (Area One), South Province (Area Two), Los Platos


Evolution[]

Normal[]

Pichu
Happiness.
Pikachu
Use Thunder Stone Thunder Stone.
Raichu
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Alolan[]

Pichu
Happiness.
Pikachu
Use Thunder Stone Thunder Stone.
Raichu
PKMNSV172 PKMNSV025 PKMNSV026-A

Base Stats[]

Base Stats
HP 20
Attack 40
Defense 15
Sp. Attack 35
Sp. Defense 35
Speed 60
Total 205

Moveset[]

Main article: Pichu/moveset

Gallery[]

  Main article: Pichu/gallery

Sprites[]

Sprites
Gold
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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Legends Arceus
PKMNPLA172


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Scarlet Violet
PKMNSV172


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Trivia[]

  • Pichu is the first non-First Pokémon Generation Pokémon to be playable in the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Pichu has the lowest base stat total of all Electric-type Pokémon.
    • Pichu also has the lowest base HP and Defense stats of all Electric-type Pokémon.
  • Pichu is Junichi Masuda's favorite Pokémon from the Second Pokémon Generation.
  • Pichu is the only Baby Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Pichu is the only playable character in Smash whose console of origin is the Game Boy Color.
  • At 17 years, Pichu is tied with Young Link as the longest gap between playable appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Together with Magikarp, Rattata, Ninjask, Goldeen, and Seedot, Pichu is the easiest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon Ranger, with only one loop necessary.
  • According to Shoko Nakagawa's autobiography, the Spiky-eared Pichu was originally going to be a White Pichu (Japanese: ホワイトピチュー).
  • Spiky-eared Pichu is currently the only Pokémon without a 3D model in the mainline Pokémon games.

External links[]

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